Chapter 10
The pilot waited patiently for the three troops to awkwardly climb out of the buzzard as it hovered in front of Scooters garage. It had been a very solemn ride back to Sanctuary, and none had spoken much as they digested the newly found information. They were only glad they had been cautious to date, and hadnt found out the sorry fact for themselves.
They stood waiting in the open, watching the buzzard disappear into the distance once more. The wind whistled as it swept through the flying city, and aside from some commotion coming from inside Scooters garage, not much else could be heard.
"Well" Irish was the first to speak, breaking the solemn silence "I guess we need to find Mordecai" he turned towards the stairs that led to the more central part of the settlement.
"Hey!" A voice called to them as a figure emerged from Scooters. "I thought there was supposed to be four of you?" The blue haired Siren walked over to meet them.
"There was" Monty spoke, "but he wanted to test the respawn theory."
Maya pinched the brow of her nose as she received the news. She shook her head in disdain. "Survival of the fittest out here. And from what Lillith said earlier, I can't say I'm surprised to hear that. Good thing we are prepared for an instance like this."
"Yeah, he wasn't really taking things very seriously. Im kinda embarrassed to admit I'm relieved actually" Irish admitted. But they all knew that with LiveFree gone, they had better chances of surviving any tasks they were put to.
"We have plenty others waiting to fill his shoes anyhow. You wouldn't believe some of the fools we have lining up to be a 'Vault Hunter'. It's not all sunshine and rainbows" Maya told them.
"So someone is taking his place then?" Kitty asked.
"Yeah, but only someone worthy enough this time. Lets just say they are being put through their paces first. If they pass their test, then they have the option to join you three, if they still wish to do so." Maya turned, and beckoned the three to follow. "C'mon. Let me show you."
As they followed the Siren through Sanctuary, they were the recipients of a mixture of comments and glares projected from the locals.
"Moxxis?" Irish asked as they past Crazy Earls black Market.
"Yeah. She still runs most of the entertainment in this place. Although we've had a few new points of interest pop up lately" Maya led them through the bar, and they exited through a back door, which opened up to a staircase leading down. The faint cheering could be heard from below, as spectators alternated between cheers and boos.
As they descended the staircase the whole place shook with the vibrations from an explosion. The crowd was erupting into cheers as Maya opened a door that led them into a viewing booth. They were at another of Moxxis arenas, built below her bar. Although it was much smaller than anything else she had previously run, it still served as a suitable fighting arena.
"It seems we've missed the action" Maya shrugged, and the four of them stepped up to the glass pane to look down upon the arena, where a light haired kid stood in the centre. He was waving his arms at the cheering crowd, pumping his fist into the air to celebrate his victiry. A Mongol rested on the ground in front of him, scorch marks were scattered across the arena, burnt corpses amongst them.
"Is that Erick?" Monty peered down into the arena.
"Huh. You know, I think it is" Irish confirmed as kid turned towards them, picking up his Launcher and heading towards the arenas exit.
"They still have a few more to get through. Mordecai wants you guys back at the headquarters, get you all fitted up appropriately for battle" Maya smirked, looking Irish up and down. She left the three in the booth, and Irish looked himself up and down.
"Did she just scoff at me?" He asked the pair, who were on the verge of giggles themselves.
"Well, you are dressed kind of casual for Pandora" Kitty laughed.
"I didn't know I was gonna end up here! I might have dressed accordingly otherwise" he picked at his plain t-shirt and blue jeans, which were now blood splattered and dusty.
"Come on Irish. No time for a sulk. Lets go and find out what we've gotta do next" Monty grabbed him by the elbow, and marched him out the door after Kitty.